300 homes plan for former Walsall estate left empty for years
Up to 300 new homes have been earmarked for the former Goscote estate under fresh regeneration proposals, it has emerged.
Walsall Housing Group are drawing up plans for the land which has been standing empty for years and been a target for travellers and fly-tipping.
Demolition of around 280 properties on the old Goscote estate started in 2007, although a defiant householder refused to budge until a suitable compensation package was agreed and remained until 2011.
A previous proposal would have seen land at the old estate around Goscote Lodge Crescent, Hildicks Crescent and Middle Crescent become open space. However, it was scrapped as green belt land around The Lea would have been used for houses and this attracted more than 800 objections.
Housing bosses have insisted they are in the 'very early stages' of looking at the new plans to develop the Goscote land and it could take at least four years before the plans to get under way. However, it provides the latest boost to the area as there is a £50 million scheme for 412 properties in nearby Blakenall, which could start this autumn.
The housing association has been given funding towards regenerating Walsall after getting more than £8m in investment from the Government's Black Country Growth Deal, through the Local Enterprise Partnership. Funding has also come from the Homes and Communities Agency.
Gary Fulford, chief executive of Walsall Housing Group, said they were delighted at being allocated funding but added:
"We are still in the very early stages of looking at this potential development and work will not begin for at least several years."
Councillor Pete Smith has welcomed the plans, saying: "Within four to six years the whole landscape of the bleak areas that have stood empty for years, will be transformed."
